Assistive Tech Tools for Reading and Writing
In this section is a listing of Assistive technology functions that can help with reading and writing tasks when using a digital device. In Quebec schools the main software for writing is either WORD (desktop or Web) or Google Docs (web).
Some of these features are built into WORD. Others are software based and need to be installed on the device in order to work with the word-processing application being used. When using Google docs, extensions can be added that will provide some of these features.
What is this feature?
TTS reads an accessible digital text aloud with a synthesized voice, following the pronunciation and grammar rules of the user’s selected language.
Most TTS support a highlighting feature where each word is highlighted as it is being read aloud.
How do I use it?
With TTS, the user either selects a word, sentence, or paragraph (based on user need) and enables TTS to read that text aloud to them.
How does it help?
TTS supports the user by reading a text aloud. The user listens to the text as it is read and follows on the screen. It is easier to focus on the content of a text when not having to also decode.
Following and hearing the words read by TTS can help improve reading fluency over time.
It is important to adjust the TTS voice and pace to the needs of the user.
What is this feature?
TTS reads selected text aloud, allowing the user to listen to a text they have written.
How do I use it?
With TTS, the user selects a sentence or a paragraph from the text on their screen. The device reads the text aloud. The author listens to the text being read, focusing on, if what is spoken is what was intended and if it makes sense.
How does it help?
This feature is helpful for users to review and revise written text to improve meaning. TTS can help in the detection of skipped words or ideas when the text is reread. Many authors gets so wrapped up in the ownership of their own text that they can miss finer details. TTS reads exactly what is there, providing feedback to the author with an outside voice, making it easier to listen to the text critically and then revise.
In addition, the author can listen to the text focusing on pauses and stops or their absence, then revise the text accordingly, with more suitable punctuation. This can also address run-on sentences, interrogation and exclamation marks.
What is this feature?
Websites built with accessibility in mind (W3C standards) contain a hidden button that allows users to “skip to content”. This bypasses blocks of material and lengthy menus that repeat across the top of websites. The button becomes visible when the Tab key is used. Using the “skip to content” function brings the user directly to the main content of the web page.
How do I use it?
On many webpages, keyboard navigators, switch users, and screen reader users must navigate a long list of links and menus before arriving at the main content. This can be particularly difficult for users with some form of motor disability. Skip to content allows fast access to the main point of a page.
How does it help?
It provides quick access to the main info on a page for those with mobility or visual disabilities using a keyboard, switches, or a screen reader.
*Not all websites have this feature working
What is this feature?
It is possible to adjust the spacing between lines of text in a document.
How do I use it?
Word processors have options for adjusting the spacing between lines. The user adjust the spacing to their needs.
1.5 is a good starting point.
How does it help?
In most cases, adjusting the spacing between lines makes text more legible for some users.
What is this feature?
A digital dictionary provides the user with quick access to meanings of words and expressions. There are different kinds of digital dictionaries: pocket electronic dictionaries, software dictionaries, or online dictionaries. Other tools, such as word prediction software may also include dictionary functions.
How do I use it?
Digital dictionaries allow users to search for a word by spelling it. Much like Word Prediction, as letters are typed, a wordlist appears and becomes more precise as more letters are entered until the desired word is found. The definition of the word is given as well as an example in a sentence. Some digital dictionaries also offer the option of spelling the word phonetically to make searching easier.
How does it help?
A digital dictionary allows the user to quickly look up a word and learn the meaning.
What is this feature?
A digital voice recorder allows the user to record spoken ideas and thoughts onto a digital device (e.g.: phone, digital recorder, computer).
How do I use it?
The user records spoken words into a digital recording device and saves the file to be accessed at a later time.
How does it help?
Using a digital voice recorder is a quick efficient way to capture thoughts and ideas and maintain the flow of thought. The recording can later be referenced, transcribed, and refined as part of the writing process.
What is this feature?
A language translation tool translates sentences from one language to another. This tool can be software or web based.
How do I use it?
A language translation tool can be used for reading comprehension. Users copy a foreign language text and paste it into the translator tool in order to be able to read it in their native language.
How does it help?
When reading in a second language, the user can translate the text into their own language to help with comprehension. It can also be used with totally foreign languages.
The user still needs to validate the quality of the translation as this technology is not perfect.
What is this feature?
A language translation tool translates sentences from one language to another. This tool can be software or web based.
How do I use it?
The user writes their ideas and then copies them into the translation tool which then provides a suggested translation in the selected other language. A base level understanding of the second language is required, so that the user can validate the translation that is then provided.
How does it help?
When writing, thoughts flow more easily in the user’s native language. The user can write their ideas in their native language and use the translation tool to convert it into the second language. The user still needs to validate the quality of the translation as this technology is not perfect.
What is this feature?
A line focusing tool or screen masking, enables the user to narrow their visual focus of the text they are reading by horizontally highlighting a line within that text.
How do I use it?
The user starts the line focus tool, then uses the mouse to move from line to line of text as they read.
This is similar to using an index card to focus on a line of text in a book.
How does it help?
A line focusing tool or screen masking can help keep the user’s attention on the specific line of text that is being read.
What is this feature?
A mind map is a visual aid that helps capture and link ideas, words, and concepts. Using a mind map in the brainstorming stage of the writing process provides a visual way to organize ideas, words, and concepts.
How do I use it?
The user brainstorms a series of nodes that contain key vocabulary and concepts around the topic being written about. The user then rearranges the nodes into a sequence or groupings that map out and organize their thinking. e.g.: Ideas that belong in the beginning, middle, or end of a written production.
How does it help?
A mind map allows the user to see a visual overview of their ideas, words, and concepts. This helps to determine relationships between these by using connecting arrows and lines. Some mind mapping software, allows you to export your mind map into an outline format that can be used in a word processor.
What is this feature?
A minimal user interface simplifies how a word processing program is displayed by hiding all menus.
How do I use it?
The “Focus Mode” in Microsoft Word hides the many options displayed by the text editor (e.g., the toolbar) in order to reduce screen clutter and allow the user to just write text. Upon completion of the text, “Focus Mode” can be turned off and all editing tool are once again available.
How does it help?
A minimal user interface helps the writer focus on the task at hand by reducing screen distractions.
What is this feature?
A visual dictionary (or picture dictionary) contains pictograms, photos, or drawings to provide a visual representation of a word.
How do I use it?
A visual dictionary offers the user an index by theme or topic that connects to labeled images. This can be as simple as labelling the fruits in a bowl to an expanded view of a car engine with all the parts labeled.
How does it help?
A user can find the right word at a glance by referring to a visual dictionary. They may also discover other words by association within the theme.
What is this feature?
Accessible fonts are typefaces that have been shown to improve readability of print text. Most are sans serif fonts, which are minimal and feature simple clean lines. They also feature sufficient space between the individual letters.
How do I use it?
When writing a text, select one of the following common sans-serif fonts: Helvetica, Comic Sans, Tahoma, OpenDyslexic, Calibri, Verdana. (Note: this is not an exhaustive list)
Alternatively, select the text in a document that does not use an accessible font and change it to one that is.
How does it help?
Accessible fonts with clean lines facilitate letter/word recognition and readability. Whatever the situation, it is recommended that the user try out a few fonts and choose the one that makes the reading task easier.
What is this feature?
Grammar and spell check use differently coloured highlighting to point out potential spelling and/or grammatical errors. They may also offer suggestions to help correct the possible errors.
How do I use it?
An active spelling and grammar checker can interfere with the composing of a text by giving immediate feedback to the user when questionable spelling or grammar are used. This can distract the writer significantly. Spelling and grammar checkers are useful but need to be used at the right time (e.g: toggled on or off) in the writing process for the needs of the writer.
Note: Word Prediction can help in the initial phase of writing of a text and should result in less spelling errors.
How does it help?
Spelling and grammar settings can be customised and fine tuned to the needs of the user. It is recommended the user start with a minimum number of settings turned on. They are intended as supports and aids. If they don’t meet a need, don’t turn them on! Spelling and Grammar checkers are best used in the revision and editing part of the writing process.
What is this feature?
Keyboard shortcuts are keyboard combinations that execute functions found in application menus.
How do I use it?
Using a modifier key (e.g.: Ctrl or Command) in conjunction with a letter key (e.g.: “c” on the keyboard) to invoke an action (e.g.: copy). Most applications support common keyboard shortcuts, as well as shortcuts that may be unique to a specific application.
How does it help?
Keyboard shortcuts can provide an efficient way to use common functions or navigate repetitive tasks.
What is this feature?
Magnification features improve visual accessibility by enlarging the information on screen.
How do I use it?
There are different ways to use the magnification feature that depend on the needs and preferences of the user. At a global level (e.g.: operating system) it can be used to enlarge the entire user interface. Alternatively, one can choose to only magnify elements at the application level. These only enlarge text or images within the application itself.
How does it help?
Magnification can increase legibility.
What is this feature?
The “Search” or “Find” command can be used to to locate specific words in a digital text (PDF, website, word processing)
How do I use it?
The “Search” or “Find” command is accessed through the application’s EDIT menu, or more easily with CTRL+F or Command+F on the keyboard. A pop-up window appears, the user types in the word they’d like to search for. The searched for word is then highlighted as many times as it appears in the text.
How does it help?
Visually highlighting a word in a text helps the user find the word in a longer text or complex page. This strategy allows the user to quickly locate key information associated with the found word in a text.
What is this feature?
Word Prediction is an application that works with writing software on a computer. It can also be a browser extension for use when writing on the web.
It uses user input to offer a list of suggested words, based on each successive letter that is typed, or the context of the sentence being typed. The user selects the word that they want from the list, and it is transferred by the software into their text. The word suggestions show the conventional dictionary spelling.
How do I use it?
As the user composes a text, a list of words appears based on the letters that have been typed so far. The user can then select the most appropriate word and the software completes the word being typed with the selection.
The user can customize the number of words suggested in a list. Words can be presented in alphabetical order or based on context.
How does it help?
Word prediction can help build richer texts with a more varied vocabulary. The user will see the correct spelling of the words as they come up, thereby reinforcing correct spelling. If Text-To-Speech (TTS) is enabled, each selected word is spoken aloud, providing auditory support.
What is this feature?
Speech-to-text automatically converts what the user says aloud into written text. Speech-to-text can be a feature that is included with an operating system or a software application.
How do I use it?
Speech-to-text allows the user to dictate the text they would like to write. The user’s voice is captured by a microphone on the device. The feature transforms spoken word into written text in a word processing document.
How does it help?
During the dictation stage the user can focus on capturing their ideas in written text.
Afterwards, in the revising and editing phase, the user can focus on spelling, grammar, and syntax, in order to improve what they have written.
